Ars Umbra

Much more than an anthology of music photography, Ars Umbra is as essential a part of a music collection as the albums it sits alongside. Containing over 150 photographs, spanning over 100 bands - with accompanying texts written by the featured musicians, detailing the stories behind many of the pictures - Ars Umbra beautifully captures the energy of an important part of heavy metal history. The creative eye behind this collection of photographs belongs to Barcelona born photographer, Ester Segarra. Having captured images of the likes of GHOST, WATAIN, ELECTRIC WIZARD, CATHEDRAL, MAYHEM, KATATONIA, PARADISE LOST, AT THE GATES, CARCASS, DARKTHRONE, ROTTING CHRIST, VENOM, ABBATH, TRIPTYKON, SHINING, BEHEMOTH and others, she has now preserved these photographs in a book that is yours to enjoy and reflect upon for many years to come. Understanding the umbilical link between visual art and music, Ester commissioned a soundtrack to accompany the book. Inspired by a Macumba ritual she attended, the instrumental soundtrack was written and performed by Uno Bruniusson (ex-In Solitude, Death Alley, Procession); it provides a unique rhythm and adds another layer of artistry to the whole Ars Umbra experience. Having been an in-demand photographer for a number of years, commissioned by artists, labels and magazines, Segarra deliberately removed herself from her day-to-day life to focus on the compilation and creation of Ars Umbra. Her self-imposed isolation allowed her to fine-tune the collection of images and hone in on the essence of individuality that has made her work so desirable. Designed in collaboration with Branca Studio and Münster Studio to fit your record collection, the level of attention to detail in the book is second to none.

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